Command line interface

A command line interface (CLI) is a textual mode of interaction between computers and humans. With a CLI, the user types commands at a prompt, which are executed by the shell, and receives textual feedback.

In contrast, the Graphical User Interface or GUI operate via mouse and keyboard, while CLIs only depend on commands entered via a keyboard.

Linux, among with most other Unix-like operating systems, is more attuned to the command line interface than Windows. While various tools such as YAST have been introduced, the CLI is still the system administration tool of choice for many Linux operators. Indeed, even though attractive desktop GUIs are frequently seen on desktop Linux systems, they often serve as little more than a manager for multiple xterms.

See also

• Console
• Open a Console
• End Users Guide:The Shell A beginner's guide to the Linux CLI
• Learn the command line
• An introduction to the Linux command line
• List of Linux commands for common operations.
• Learn unix in 10 minutes
• CS Student Linux User's Guide - Easy introduction to the command line interface (wiki)